The evidence gathered by the Russian Investigative Committee was recognized by the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People’s Republic as sufficient to convict Hugo Julian, a citizen of the French Republic.
“He was found guilty of committing a crime under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict),” the Russian Investigative Committee said in a statement.
The investigation and the court established that Cuesta arrived in Ukraine in 2022 to participate in hostilities in exchange for a financial reward against Russian military personnel.
“The French mercenary enlisted in the 28th separate mechanized brigade (28-OMBr) named after the Knights of the Winter March (military unit A0666) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a driver-mechanic of the 2nd reconnaissance squadron of the reconnaissance platoon of the 2nd mechanized battalion,” said the official representative of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Svetlana Petrenko.
The department also noted that Cuesta was provided with personal firearms, ammunition, uniforms and special equipment. After undergoing military training, from July 2022 to February 2024, Cuesta carried out orders of the commanders of the 28th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and directly participated in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian security forces against Russian military personnel.
Cuesta was sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison in a high-security penal colony. He is on the international wanted list.
